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Tag: music and influence

  • Connecting with Others through Music

    Connecting with Others through Music

    Everyone loves music—it is fun to listen to and dance to and, for some, even make. But not only is it a pleasurable thing in our day-to-day lives, it’s actually quite an important part of society. At school, there are so many ways to connect with your peers: sports, studies, clubs, books…but music is a way to not only learn more about each other but also grow our creative talents. For you, it may start with a recorder in class or a piano lesson after school. But no matter what you choose, an instrument has unlimited power when it comes to connecting with others.

    Music can mirror your thoughts

    Lyrics and melodies have always had a wonderful way of communicating messages and your emotional state. Music is around to speak the words that we cannot express. Maybe you feel too anxious and worried to talk about how you feel and what is bothering you—whether it be at home or in school. Putting these feelings into song will help you with that. If you feel that communication is not strong for you and you tend to veer more towards the creative side of things, pick up an instrument and start exploring what is going on in your head. What do you want to say but can’t? Mr. Guitar can do that for you!

    Teamwork

    Performing music means coordinating your efforts; when we try to synch up with others musically (think harmonizing or being on the same beat), we are working as a team to create something all parties can enjoy. In school, teamwork is essential for building friendships, trust and for growing your people skills. Working on writing a song with someone else or learning the chords to that new hit you both love means creating something that both of you will remember the other for. Creating something new is the ultimate bonding experience.

    Getting some culture

    Music is the universal language (cheesy, I know, but so true!) It is a way we can share our traditions, beliefs and political interests. In your school there are many kids from different cultural backgrounds and chances are they all have music they know that helps to share what their background is like. Music influences how we think about others, how we get along and how we accept others. Never underestimate the power of a song. As mentioned above, sometimes there’s more meaning in a song than in regular words.

  • Music and Your Study Habits – Do They Go Together?

    Music and Your Study Habits – Do They Go Together?

    Many of us have our own study habits, whether it is creating outlines, doing mock tests, establishing study groups, or straight-out reading notes and textbooks. Some of us might be particularly keen of studying while playing music on full blast.

    Much has been said about classical music particularly that of Mozart’s, being the ideal music when you are busy immersing yourself in your textbooks and trying to visualize yourself acing your exams. It is widely believed that Mozart will make people smart, just by listening to him; even pregnant mothers play Mozart thinking their babies will grow up more intelligent. There is, of course, some truth to this as it is not some belief that was created out of thin air. So how this did start?

    It was in 1993 when researchers Gordon Shaw, Frances Rauscher, and Katherine Ky did an experiment with 36 student-participants whom they divided into three groups: one group listened to Mozart, another one listened to “self-hypnosis” spiel, and the third one remained in total silence. Afterward, the trio conducted a spatial test—and the group which listened to Mozart showed a significantly higher IQ points of 8 to 9 compared to the two other groups. The trio eventually published their study, and thus the term “Mozart effect” was born.
    Other scientists began to offer their insight that seemed to strengthen the trio’s findings. These scientists said music does help stimulate the brain, improving cognitive function as a result. However, it should be noted that in that particular experiment, the other two groups were not made to listen to music, so other scientists contend that it might not matter which type of music can have a positive neurobiological effect, rather music in general.

    There might be no denying though of the powerful effects of Mozart. CBS News recently released a story that an Italian winemaker based in Tuscany attest that his grapes grow bigger if he pumps Mozart into his vineyard.

    Scientists from Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan suggest that if you are going to incorporate music into your studies, it may be best to go for music which you feel ambivalent toward to. This means any type of music you don’t necessarily strongly like or dislike.

    On the other hand, researchers from the Cambridge Sound Management believe that music without lyrics is best if you plan to listen to music while you study because lyrics can be incredibly distracting and deters comprehension. This means the soundtrack to the blockbuster musical “Hamilton” is definitely out of the question. Instead, go for something instrumental. An example of this especially designed instrumental music to help you study can be found in YouTube—just search for Alpha Waves Study Music.

    Canadian researchers, meanwhile, said that it is good to listen to up-tempo music when you are studying as it stimulates the brain. This can mean music with catchy lyrics and beats that can make you get up and dance—although maybe probably not a good idea if you have pages and pages to read on your textbooks.

    Others say that ambient sounds like the rain or waterfalls or spring helps you study better. This type of music is also recommended for those who have difficulty sleeping, so it does cover the relaxation bit. Other researchers say that video game soundtracks can be beneficial to those who are studying as this type of music is designed to energize the listener without necessarily distracting him or her to the task at hand.

    Yet other scientists say that it does not matter which type of music you listen to when studying, but the consistency in the tone. They believe that music that goes soft then goes loud then goes soft again then goes loud again is not ideal for studying.

    If you have not tried to include listening to music while studying, then maybe give the pointers above a try. However, if you are already an expert multi-tasker and can study even with the loudest heavy metal music on, then go for it. Whatever music best works for you, it should not matter.